Using Children's Literature to Build Concepts of Teaching about Global Citizenship

Bradbery, Debbie

Australian Association for Research in Education (NJ1), Paper presented at the Joint Australian Association for Research in Education and Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association Conference (AARE-APERA 2012) World Education Research Association (WERA) Focal Meeting (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Dec 2-6, 2012)

Children's literature can be used to help teachers to build into their teaching programs ways to examine and change personal lifestyles to secure a sustainable future; to identify, investigate, evaluate and undertake appropriate action to maintain, protect and enhance local and global environments; to challenge preconceived ideas, accept change and acknowledge uncertainty and to work cooperatively and in partnerships with others. Developing an understanding of the importance of being a contributor to a fairer, more peaceful, just and sustainable world is vital in helping children to become "global citizens". Global citizens are those who are willing to take responsibility for their own actions, respect and value diversity and see themselves as contributors to a more peaceful and sustainable world. After reviewing research literature on the topic and noting the divergent opinions and views available, the author examines ways in which some specific examples of children's literature can be used to develop a willingness to actively engage in issues of global citizenship in primary aged children and will consider how the use of children's literature can help to build concepts of teaching about global citizenship in the primary school setting.